Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. However, tea plantations are under threat from pests as farmers try to find newer ways to stop them. Studies have shown how tea leaves can pass on the pesticides picked from water and soil into the brewed tea.
Pesticide residues in tea leaves don’t just pose a threat to health but also impact the ecosystem. As a result, there is a set rule for a pesticide residue limit to guarantee acceptable pesticide limits for human consumption.
How safe is tea containing pesticides?
With changing technology in agriculture, farmers are adopting new techniques for farming. Tea Research Association (TRA) recently launched a kit that detects unapproved pesticides in tea leaves.
The kit uses AI technology to identify pesticides in tea leaves. TRA Kolkata has collaborated with Arogyam Medisoft Solution, a deep-tech digital solutions company, to get approval for ACLIVIA for Tea.
ACLIVIA is an artificial intelligence-based rapid screening platform that can detect pesticide residue in green tea leaves. The first phase of this validation exercise was completed last week.
More about the technology
ACLIVIA makers believe this innovative technology is a breakthrough for the Indian tea industry. The government has been paying special attention to stringent monitoring and testing mechanisms in the tea industry for the last few years.
Further, a 100% dust auction trail is one such initiative to ensure complete compliance across the tea supply chain. TRA secretary Joydeep Phukan said this unique digital testing kit will help farmers comply with India’s food safety norms and standard authority.
“Testing green leaves for pesticide residue before production is essential for ensuring the tea supply chain is compliant. ACLIVIA for Tea is the first solution of its kind in the global tea industry.”
The rapid testing kit uses two technologies – artificial intelligence and the IoT (Internet of Things). These technologies facilitate the instant test of green tea leaves at the factory point before they are sent for final manufacturing.
Further, the association has collaborated with Arogyam Medisoft to validate the equipment. There has been a constant demand for pesticide detection in the tea industry, and this device could be a game changer. This launch is a significant milestone committed to enhancing different food safety measures.
Chemicals are effective, but the movement toward natural alternatives is gaining significance. Besides the AI-based option, farmers can choose natural alternatives to reduce the pesticide risk. Many startup companies are promoting the adoption of low-risk pesticides for safe farming, and this is gaining momentum.